Vendetta's Rise (The Dragon Realms Saga: Book 1)

Chapter 25

"Quickly, Inle, don't lose him!" Elucard dashed past a series thugs, his blade slicing through the legs of the men that stood between him and his mark.

"Easier said than done, Master! These men are as big as bears!" Inle leap-frogged over the goon in front of him and released several daggers that sank deep into the back and shoulders of the next man blocking his path. In the distance Inle could see the weaselly man that was their mark run down the corridor of a dimly lit safe house.

"Bears. Heh, I bet they are just as hairy too!" Chided Jetta as she kept pace with Elucard, nimbly flipping over and sidestepping countless guards. It had been a year or so since the Blood Forest and Jetta had made large strides in her role as a veiled mender. She kept up with Inle and Elucard. The three had excellent chemistry as a team.

A heavy wooden chamber door crashed open as Elucard ran in, sword at the ready. Jetta followed with Inle tagging just behind. A small, thin man huddled in the far corner, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. He shivered as he sputtered, "L-Listen, I can get the money, I just need a bit m-more time. I swear, it's all tied up in my various shops. I swear to Father that I'm good for it."

Inle balanced a dagger on the tip of his finger before tossing it and snatching it in mid air, "You pray to the wrong god, my friend."

Elucard slipped his sword's edge under the frightened man's chin, "You failed to pay for our clan's protection, we are tired of your excuses. Now it's time you pay with your life."

The man dropped to his knees, "Please, I-"

His pleas were cut short by a quick swipe across his neck with Elucard's blade. Inle drooped his ears in dismay. "Master, you killed the last one. This was my turn."

"No doubt you had your share from all those hired muscles I skipped."

Jetta scowled, folding her arms, "We shouldn't revel in taking lives even though we must. This isn't a game. We don't kill for sport."

"You're right, Jetta." Nodded Elucard, "Let's head out."

Inle rolled his eyes beneath his mask, clearly annoyed, "You're just the medic. You don't even carry a weapon. Who are you to talk down to me about taking lives?"

Jetta snapped her head back to Inle, "Excuse me?" Jetta walked up to Inle and thrusted an index finger into Inle's chest, "I may just be the medic, but I am just as much an accomplice in these murders as the both of you."

"Murders? That implies we've committed a crime. Jetta you still don't understand the work we do, even a year after you've become a Rabbit?" snarled Inle. He moved dangerously close to Jetta, lowering his masked face to meet hers.

Jetta shoved him back, "I do what's asked of me. I keep you alive! Nothing more than that."

Inle took out a dagger and thinly grazed the side of her face with it's point. "Dear Jetta, perhaps Alue fogs your mind. Distance yourself from our family, and you also become lost in that fog."

"A'lunis sik mere'th J'Deio shi sahde Alann'Na" Jetta spat.

"What was that?" Inle said, his voice now raised.

"Hope is my beacon in Death's shadow," Elucard said with disappointment in is voice. He stepped between Inle and Jetta and raised a hand to mediate between the two. "Inle, that's enough." Elucard turned to Jetta, "Relax, Jetta. Every now and again it's good to let out a bit of steam. Our work no doubt hangs heavy in our souls."

Jetta nodded and bowed to her friend, "Elucard, you are right, I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright Jetta, no harm done." Elucard shot a glance at Inle, "Inle?"

Inle bowed his head, "Forgive me, Master, I was out of line. As well with you, Jetta." Inle's voiced seemed a bit sharper as he spoke Jetta's name.

Elucard returned the bow in respect to his student, "It's fine. Our team functions best when we are all in accordance with one another. We're going to have our differences, but we need to leave that aside when it is time to get a task done. Master Legion speaks highly of our teamwork. Let's continue to earn that praise."

***

The Black Rabbit compound was widespread with commotion as both recruits and assassins gathered in front of High Blade Legion. He raised his hands to simmer down the whispers, "The rumors are true. We have been given a task larger and more important than any mission this clan has ever been given before."

Immediately the whispers started back up. Theories of what the mission could be spread like wildfire. Voices began to call out to Legion to lay the clan's curiosity to rest.

"We've been given the task to assassinate King Jaelyn during the Lost Dawn Completion Ball!" A sweep of silence fell over the crowd as Legion gave the announcement.

Malady stood in the back leaning against a pillar. He found this announcement more interesting than most. To him, it was a clear chance to finally prove that his students were the most finely skilled assassins in the clan. However, the past failures of his pupils to defeat Legion's students was a foul taste that lingered in his mouth. Nevertheless, this was his chance to gain the Silent Master's favor and to perhaps become First Blade; a position that was still vacant with Vada's absence—and most importantly—leave him in a strategic spot to someday become High Blade.

Malady's voice broke through the utterly flabbergasted crowd, "And who, dear Blade Brother, shall be the lucky Rabbit to fell a king?" He continued before Legion could answer back, "May I suggest my apprentice, Tesha? She is a cut above the rest and has proved to be both equally precise as she is lethal."

Before Legion could consider the suggestion, the rice paper door slid open behind him. A collective gasp resonated amongst everyone in the retreat. The Silent Master had made a rare appearance.

Legion immediately collapsed to his knees, bewildered by the clan master's presence. The Silent Master gazed at his subjects as they all quickly fell to their knees. Most had never seen the man who commanded the High Blade.

He was an elf like the most of his Rabbits. Unlike most elves he had large impending muscles that brimmed his body. He had a shaved head that was nearly bald, although short silver hair could still be seen. His eyes were black with a slight edge of near-white irises hugging his pupils. Decorative tattoos covered his arms and half of his face which was accented with a thin scar crossed diagonally over his lips. He was robed in black and violet silks. A pair of short swords were sheathed on either side of a red sash around his waste.

The Silent Master held quiet briefly before speaking, "The first attempt on Jaelyn's life was a failure. I was betrayed by my own tribe. However, I have since forsaken those traitorous fools. This clan is my tribe now. You are all my family." He paused for a moment and gazed out at the crowd, "I have taken some time to deliberate who should carry the weight of this mission on their shoulders. One who has shown promise over these years. One who was trained by our most skilled. Most of all, one who I can trust." The Silent Master motioned his finger, "Elucard, come forth."

Elucard's eyes widened with disbelief. Inle patted him on the back and whispered for him to hurry.

The Silent Master continued as the young elf hustled forward. "Elucard, each test we've given you was performed with prowess and finesse. You've proven to be a student of our ways and philosophies. You've grown from the whelp you once were to the assassin you are today. You and your team of two others shall travel swiftly and silently to the gods-forsaken city of Lost dawns. You shall carry out your duty to slay Jaelyn and thereby cement your own legacy. When you return victorious, you will take your place alongside your former teacher, Legion, as my First Blade."

Elucard was stunned.

"What say you?"

Elucard looked back to Inle and Jetta. And then smiled as he bowed before the Silent Master, "May Alanna coat my blade with the same honor you bestow upon me. Like a shadow, my team will descend upon our enemies and drown them in their own blood."

The Silent Master smiled thinly, "Very well Elucard, reap the night."